Hot dog: How to prevent man’s best friend from overheating this summer

If you’re already complaining about how hot it is this summer, at least you can strip off your clothes, jump in a cold shower then sweat it out — spare a thought for your dog, who can’t do any of those things.

Heatstroke

There’s the kind of stroke you want your dog to get (like a round of pats when he’s been a goooood booooy who’sagoodboyyouare), and the kind of stroke you definitely don’t want your dog to get: heatstroke.

Like humans, dogs can suffer heatstroke if they overexert themselves when it’s hot, causing their internal body temperature to rise to dangerous levels. Your furry pal is particularly vulnerable if he’s a “brachycephalic”— that is, if he’s a short-snouted breed like a bulldog, pug or staffy.

Dr Warren recommends keeping an eye on your dog during hot days and looking out for these signs, which range from subtle to severe:

Panting persistently and quickly

Looking stressed and agitated

Vomiting and diarrhoea

Weakness and muscle tremors

Bluish purple or bright red gums

Collapsing or having a seizure

If you suspect your dog is suffering heatstroke, take him to a vet as soon as possible. In the meantime, try to bring his temperature down by offering him cool water and sticking him under a hose or shower (but not exposing him to ice). On the way to the vet’s, place a cool wet towel over him and turn your car’s aircon up to max.

And this should go without saying, but: never under any circumstance leave your dog in a car.

Timing is everything

We’ve all seen those madmen and women jogging through the park at the peak of an excruciatingly hot day. That's obviously not the best time of the day to go running, but at least humans know ways to exercise safely in high heat.

Dogs don’t have that luxury, so try to take yours for walkies in the early morning or in the evening to avoid those brutal sunrays.

You also have the benefit of protective shoes — your dog doesn’t. You know the agony of dashing from the hot sand of the beach across the parking lot to your car? That’s how your dog feels all the time.

Doggy paddle

Unsurprisingly, swimming is an ideal way for your dog to keep himself cool this summer. But like humans, there are some important dos and don’t for staying safe in the water.

“It may sound silly but most dogs need to be taught how to swim,” says Dr Warren (which might explain why my childhood Labrador always hated the water — you mean he didn’t like just being chucked into the pool as a puppy…?)

To make your dog comfortable in the water, start somewhere shallow and support his back end until he gets the hang of using his paws in unison. A canine life jacket (cutest mental image ever) can help him relax.

Most importantly: don’t force him to swim if he doesn’t want to. Doggy paddle doesn’t come naturally to all doggies.

“Not all dogs are made to be good swimmers, particularly those with heavy bodies and short legs,” Dr Warren says.

If your dog is a natural in the water: lucky you! Hopefully you’ll be able to film a viral video of his aquatic antics.

Just be sure to choose pool toys for him that float, and that he can retrieve without swallowing too much water.

Backyard pools can be as dangerous for dogs as they can be for small children, so supervise your dog around the water, make sure the pool gate is closed and that your dog can’t squeeze through any gaps, and be wary of pool covers — dogs can become trapped under them.

Red dog

Katrina Warren and her dog Riley

No summer is complete without the exquisite sting of sunburn — a pain that dogs (and cats) are as vulnerable to as us alabaster-skinned humans, and which is just as likely to result in skin cancer.

“This is most common in white animals with pink skin on their noses and ears,” Dr Warren says.

While some diehard tanners consider 11am and 3pm to be the perfect zone for bronzed skin, it’s actually the time when the sun is at its harshest. So keep your pet (and yourself) indoors or in the shade as much as possible.

“You can try applying zinc to the nose and also using protective sunsuits if your dog likes to bake belly up,” suggests Dr Warren.